Rise of the Malactric Heir

While Alix was talking to Sally, Adora went into the castle with Zavis and Zack by her side and saw her father and the queen was in the living room.

When the king saw her, he called out, "Adora," and she smiled.

"Uncle, I mean, your highness," Zavis said as he bowed along with Zack.

"Zavis, you have grown into a fine young man, call me uncle, no need for your highness and so on," the king said, and Zavis smiled at them before hugging the king and then hugging the queen, who patted him on the head.

"You look fantastic, kid," she said.

"You, too," he replied.

"You must be Zack," said the king.

"Yes, I am, and it's good to see everyone again," Zack replied.

"Well, seems like you have all grown up to be fine," the queen said and Zack smiled.

"She is correct, I cannot believe I got to see you guys after all these years, this calls for a celebration, we can celebrate all of this along with the princess's birthday the day after tomorrow, we will be holding a royal ball," the king said, as Adora lowered her head and Zack glanced at her before placing his hand around her neck and she looked at him then he smiled.

"That would be fun; I'm looking forward to the ball; do you mind if we stay here until we're ready to leave, your highnesses?" Zack asked.

"You guys are both welcome to stay here as long as you like; consider this your new homes until then," the queen responded, and the king smiled. Adora looked at both the king and queen sighed and smiled.

"I will show them to their rooms and then we will have dinner," Adora said and the king smiled.

"Alright, we'll wait for you guys to eat dinner; it's been a while since we had dinner together too, Adora," the king replied, before she smiled and left to show Zavis and Zack to their rooms.

Adora went to her room after showing them to their room and sighed before setting her things down.

'I guess things are going to be a bit different again,' she thought before going to freshen up.

When the girl finished, she dressed and went down to dinner with the king and queen, as well as Zack and Zavis.

Zack noticed Adora wasn't paying attention while eating and smiled.

"Are you all right?" he inquired.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, "enjoy your meal."

'I wonder why she seems a little down, I noticed that when her father mentioned her birthday party,' Zack thought before continuing to eat his meal.

"Adora, I'm glad you're back home and safe," the queen said, then the girl smiled at her.

"Thank you; I'm glad to be back as well," she replied, and the king glanced at her.

'Something seems different about her as well; I hope she'll be fine,' the king thought as he ate, and Zavis looked at them.

'This family is nice, but it could use some work, I am pretty sure they can all be a real happy family but I guess it's not going to be as easy with their history, it's quite a history as well, damn,' Zavis thought with a smile.

Later that night, after they had finished eating, Adora went to her room, locked the door, and went out onto her balcony, where she looked around and smiled at her peaceful view and the shimmering night sky, while Alix had finished helping Sally lock up the shop, then went home to freshen up before going to bed.

'I guess without Ifrit around, it's a bit more lonely, especially since I'm not conversing with my family as much,' Adora thought before going to bed, but her usual routine returned, she was having trouble sleeping but she did.

The next morning, After Alix woke up, he sighed, got out of his bed, and then went about his simple morning routine, when he finished, he took the key to his bike and then left for the castle because it was already 10 a.m. and he slept in a bit, but it was fine because they had the day off.

"Adora, good morning," Nina said as she entered the castle, and Adora came down the main stair and smiled when she saw Nina.

"Good morning, Nina," she replied as Nina peeked at her hair before gently holding it and sniffing it.

"Did you wash your hair again?" Nina inquired.

"Yeah, I just finished drying it off, but I'm leaving it loose for air, why do you ask?" Adora asked.

"It smells great, that's why, it's good to be back home too, I feel good this morning, and tomorrow is also your birthday, I forgot to tell the others," she responded, and Adora smiled.

"Please don't make a fuss about it," Adora said, and Nina looked at her.

"I won't listen to that request, your father would have held the ball before midnight tonight, but he knew that wouldn't be possible for most people, so he is holding it on your birthday except it will be until night, he just told me and I agree with him, it's the best way, I hope you can enjoy your birthday," Nina replied as Adora stared at her, then sighed and smiled.

"Hopefully, because this year is different," she said, and Nina nodded.

"That's right," she replied.

"Good morning, you two," Zavis said as he walked down the stairs, followed by Zack, and the girls smiled.

"Will the others arrive in time for lunch?" Zavis asked.

"I think they will, if they don't sleep in for too long," Nina replied, and they laughed.

"Breakfast was good; thanks for having it delivered to our room; I woke up a long time ago, but was too lazy to get up," Zack said, and Adora chuckled.

"That's fine, and you are welcome; today is your day off, and you can do whatever you want, sleep, go to a party, or whatever, just don't get a hangover of any sort, other than that, it's fine," she replied and he grinned.